RIYADH EAC - 24 SEPTEMBER 2008

S E C R E T RIYADH 001472 NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARP,NEA/EX, DS/IP/NEA, DS/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/MSG, RIYADH PASS TO DHAHRAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2018 TAGS: ASEC CASC AMGT PGOV PTER PREL SA SUBJECT: RIYADH EAC - 24 SEPTEMBER 2008 REF: A. RIYADH 01436 ¶B. RIYADH 01423 ¶C. IICT-2008-83A ¶D. TDX 315/069244-08 ¶E. SANAA 10547 ¶F. RIYADH SECURITY ADVISORY 08-009 Classified By: DCM DAVID RUNDELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(C),AND (D). ¶1. (S/NF) On September 24, the Ambassador convened a meeting of Riyadh's EAC to discuss the Mission's security posture and to discuss restrictions placed upon post personnel in response to continued regional threats against Americans and Westerners following the September 17 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Sana'a (described ref E). Also present in the meeting were DCM, MGT, CONS, LEGAT, POL, ECON, DAO, PAO, GRPO, MED, ISC, FCS, POL-MIL, MSG, DHS, IMO, ATO, CIP, GSO, EXEC, and RSO. ¶2. (S/NF) After the RSO presenting the group with a brief summary of the continued threat (reftels),along with Departmental Warden Notices issued 9/17/08, 9/20/08 and 9/24/08, the group discussed off DQ travel in detail and the Ambassador issued the following guidance (ref F): a. (U) Travel to Eskan and to facilities outside the DQ for food shopping is authorized. All other travel requests will be considered on a case by case basis by the RSO, in concurrence of the DCM. b. (U) All travelers will continue to use motor pool driven, armored vehicles. Every effort will be made to accommodate travel requests, however, as motor pool resources are limited, vehicles will be available on a first come first serve basis. c. (U) All American employees are reminded to keep a low profile; limit group activities outside the DQ to smaller numbers; and avoid outside areas where Westerners are known to congregate. d. (U) Until further notice, the GSO Annex remains closed for social activities as do activities at the Embassy involving outside guests. ¶3. (S/NF) All current restrictions if effect will be reviewed by the EAC following the Eid holiday, scheduled to end o/a October 5, 2008. ¶4. (U) Any questions regarding this matter should be addressed to Riyadh RSO John Taylor at 966-1-488-3800 ext 4984 (open); ext 4203 (ste). RUNDELL